
Gas powered leaf blowers save a lot of time on fall cleanup. They’re great for small jobs too, like blowing debris off your driveway or out of your garage. However, choosing a gas leaf blower isn’t as easy as using one. You’ll find lots of makes and models and enough air movement specs to fill a spreadsheet. We corralled models from major brands and handed them out to our editors to test during peak leaf-blowing season. Based on our research and field use, we came up with some solid buying advice and our picks for the best cordless leaf blower. If you’re thinking about buying a leaf blower, this is your guide.
Is a Gas Blower Model the Best Leaf Blower for You?
Corded electric models are inexpensive and work well, but the cord is a hassle and limits you to 100 ft. from the outlet. Still, if you have a small yard and don’t use a blower often, you can’t beat the low cost and zero maintenance of an electric unit.
Cordless models are by far the most convenient choice because you never have to deal with extension cords or gasoline. Some are powerful enough to move lots of leaves from a small yard, but the battery’s run-time may not be long enough for a large yard.
Gas grass blower models aren’t limited by run-time or cord length. They can run all day as long as you refill the tank. Plus, they’re available in more styles and power ranges. Next to corded blowers, gas-powered machines have the lowest overall cost. That’s why we chose them for this story.
Which one is more suitable and comfy, backpack or handheld?
Backpack leaf blowers are more comfortable than handheld models. But is it suitable for you? It depends on your budget and specific requirements.
Backpack gas leaf blower | Handheld gas leaf blower | |
Weight | 17-22 pounds | Lighter |
Air Movement | From 150 up to 240 MPH and more | From 150 to 200 MPH |
Application | More fitting for jobs over large yards | Suitable for those living in a small property without a lot of trees |
Highlight features | More versatile, bigger tanks, limited fuel usage, withstand more types of debris | More affordable, less bulky, and more maneuverable. |
Are gas leaf blowers better than electric?
Again, your decision between electric and gas leaf blowers should be based on your specific requirements and preferences.
Gas Leaf Blower | Electric Leaf Blower | |
Power | Gasoline | Electricity |
Style | Backpack and hand-held | Cordless, corded, and hand-held |
Price | Range from $60 to $500 | Range from $35 to $150 |
Wind speed | 150+ MPH | 50-100 MPH |
Excellent features | More powerful and suitable for many more uses | Lighter, quiet operation, and no emission |
Does a leaf blower take regular gas?
No, you have to mix gas and oil to run your gas leaf blowers and keep them stay lubricated. Because straight gas will ruin the engines of any two-cycle devices within minutes, don’t use straight gas in your blowers!
What oil do you use for a leaf blower?
Typically, gas-powered leaf blowers use a fuel to oil mixture of 40:1.
How much oil do I add to a gallon of gas?
To obtain the ideal gas-oil ratio, you can well mix one gallon of regular gas with about 3.2 oz. of 2-stroke engine oil. The oil will gradually separate from gasoline over a long time in use.
TIP: Before refueling your machine, you should thoroughly shake your gas and oil mixture.
A more straightforward solution is to get a can of premixed gas and oil at a local garden tool retailer, Home Depot, or Lowe’s. This synthetic mixture will be in the blower’s container for such a long time without destructing your engines.
Are gas leaf blowers heavy on maintenance?
If you have kept the gas and oil mixture in your machine for a period of time, it is better to periodically replace the old mixture with a fresh one.
Regularly use warm and soapy water to clean the air filter and make sure to leave it completely dry. Then, use a few drops of oil to lubricate the filter.
Conclusion
So, above is our top pick of the best gas leaf blowers for your money after carefully reviewing a lot of models available today.